Growing Up and Giving Back in Cuyahoga Falls

For Deborah Graef, a Cuyahoga Falls native, volunteer work turned into a career.

Graef is the Executive Director of the Cuyahoga Falls Schools Foundation, and volunteered with the organization years before she became an employee.

A graduate curious about her class reunion, she asked for information and began to volunteer as a newsletter writer.

“One thing led to another, and now I’m the Executive Director,” Graef said. She added she enjoys the feeling of going back to her roots, since her office is in the school.

Along with her work at the foundation, Graef divides her time between:

• The First Congregational Church of Akron, Stephen Minister and leader
• The Cuyahoga Falls Civil Service Commission,  Chairman
• The Bicentennial Committee, member
• Russo’s, hostess on weekends
• Volunteering 5-10 hours per week for various causes, including G.A.S.P. (Guardians Against Sex Predators)

“I don’t remember a time I didn’t volunteer,” she said. “It was just part of what you did. I had a great childhood, and was taught you always give back. It didn’t matter if was to your family or your neighbor or people you didn’t know.”

Graef realized the impact she made on Cuyahoga Falls when she discovered she didn’t want to leave. When asked by Mayor Don L. Robart if she wanted to accept an appointment to the civil service, Graef hesitated at first due to the long commitment of five or six years, because she wasn’t sure if she’d still be living in Cuyahoga Falls.

“The mayor looked at me and he said, ‘You were born and raised here and you’re going to die here. Just say yes and if something wonderful comes up and you have to move we can talk about it later,’” she said.

“Then the dedication was there and I never really wanted to leave,” Graef added. “I love this town. It was a great place for me to be raised and it was a great place to raise my kids.”

For Graef, one of the rewards in all of her activities is meeting people and listening to their stories. She loves to work side by side with members of the community, whether it’s campaigning or pouring beer at Oktoberfest.

“There’s a lot to learn and there’s certainly a lot of people in Cuyahoga Falls that have been here far longer than I have with great stories and the same pride in this town,” Graef said.

To those looking to become more involved with volunteer work, Graef gave this advice: “Just start. Find something you’re drawn to that makes you feel good.”